Total Articles: 4
Guidelines For Investigation of "Salting" Claims Issued.
On February 15, 2008, the Office of the General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued two guideline memoranda to Regional Directors, Officers-in-Charge, and Resident Officers, outlining the NLRB's rationale in two recent decisions, and providing guidance for analyzing, investigating, and pleading union "salting" claims in light of those decisions.
NLRB Requires Applicants Show a Genuine Interest in Employment to be Protected by NLRA.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued four decisions that are good news for both unionized and union-free employers. This Alert addresses the holding in Toering Electric Co., Cases 7-CA-37768, 7-CA-39093, and 7-CA-39205 (Sep. 29, 2007), a 3-2 decision critical of the union practice of submitting batch applications by union “salts” uninterested in actually working for the targeted employer. Recognizing that these applications are frequently submitted for the sole purpose of generating meritless unfair labor practice charges, the Board held that such individuals are not protected by the NLRA’s prohibition on discrimination. “In our view submitting applications with no intention of seeking work but rather to generate meritless unfair labor practice charges is not protected activity.”
Construction Company's Discharge Of Union "Salt" Held Unlawful.
The federal appellate court with jurisdiction over South Carolina employers recently ruled against a nonunion employer who fired an employee for dishonesty after he started distributing union materials. According to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, there was sufficient evidence that the employer, which did not thoroughly investigate the dishonesty allegation, was motivated by anti-union animus.
Fourth Circuit Enforces NLRB Order Supporting Union Salt.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently enforced an order of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board), finding that an employer violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by terminating a union salt for alleged dishonesty. See Integrated Elec. Servs. d/b/a Primo Elec., 4th Cir., No. 05-2289, unpublished opinion 2/13/07. The decision by the typically conservative court illustrates the risk in being overzealous in enforcing workplace rules in order to eliminate open union supporters and thereby thwart organizing activity.
